Mel'nikov V N, Krivoshchekov S G
Biofizika. 2012 May-Jun;57(3):515-21.
In order to verify associations between solar and geomagnetic activities and perinatal variables the monthly distributions of population characters in Novosibirsk region over the period 1980-2001 were compared by stepwise correlation analysis with monthly averaged physical parameters at lags from 0 to 10 months. Three indices used were as follows: the number of sunspots, solar flux at 10.7 cm wavelength and Ak index measured at local ionospheric station near Novosibirsk city. Official data on the number of single and multiple live births, stillbirths and infant deaths at the age under one year by the type of population and sex were provided by State Statistical Committee. All three physical parameters positively correlated with the number of single births and infant mortality rate and negatively with twin births in both populations, urban and rural, irrespective of lags. The direct association between Ak index and relative number of stillbirths in urban setting was mostly pronounced at a lag of 5 months. The number of live births increased along with Ak index due to the enhanced proportion of female births whereas the number of stillbirths after the increase in solar and geomagnetic activities elevated because of male deaths.